All about Canada's IEC working holiday!

Yes, there are a few main reasons why an IEC permit application can be rejected.

The problem could be that you provided false or incorrect information, or that you didn't provide your supporting documents. Don’t forget to log into your IRCC account regularly to see if you received further instructions.

Make sure to double-check all parts of the form before submitting and correctly follow the steps of the application process.

A certain number of legal issues can also make you inadmissible, including DUIs and DWIs.

More info...

If you don’t travel to Canada within 12 months of receiving your POE Letter of Introduction to activate your IEC permit, it will expire and you can no longer use it. You cannot ask for an extension or for a refund.

However, you can apply for an IEC permit again in future. You will have to pay the fees again but you can reuse the biometrics you gave in your original application.

The Government of Canada requires all IEC permit holders to start their adventure with at least CA$2,500 (or the equivalent in your own currency). You may be asked to show proof of funds when you land in Canada.

You will need savings because settling in Canada is expensive—accommodation, food, transportation, etc. all adds up, especially in cities with a high cost of living. If you are on a Working Holiday and have yet to secure a job, it may take a while to find one.

You won’t eligible for any kind of financial help in Canada.

To plan your trip and budget, read How expensive is life in Canada?

On the practical side, read How to carry/transfer money.

This is always a tricky situation because there’s no such thing as a “fiancé visa.” The spouse or common-law partner who didn’t receive an IEC permit won't receive special rights or be guaranteed an immigration status in Canada.

However, a spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit under certain circumstances, such as if their partner (the IEC permit holder) secures a job in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3. More info...

All IEC permit holders must buy health insurance coverage before their trip to Canada. It must include medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation. The policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.

For instance, if you are eligible for a 12-month Working Holiday permit and you buy six months of insurance, you can only be issued a six-month work permit. You won’t be able to extend the permit to receive the other six months.

Pvtistes.net recommends Globe WHV, a long-term trusted insurance partner.

Taking your pets to Canada is generally okay but there’s some red tape involving vets, the airline company and Canadian customs. It may be difficult to find accommodation that accepts pets.

For more info, read Import rules when travelling with pets.

The arrivals process is pretty straightforward. In most airports, you will be directed to a a self-serve e-kiosk that reads your passport and confirms your identity.

Next, you will be directed to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) checkpoint—expect a queue. Have your passport, Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction and Declaration Card (completed at the airport e-kiosks or handed out during your flight) ready.

During this “primary inspection,” the border services officer will examine your Declaration Card and passport. You’ll then be sent to another CBSA booth to have your work permit activated.

You may be asked to show any or all of these documents.

Check your work permit carefully right away. If you think there’s a mistake, tell the border services officer—at this stage, it can be corrected quickly.

For customs issues (“What can I bring?”), check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency list.

Relax, explore, eat poutine or maple syrup… but also tackle a few chores like getting your Social Insurance Number (SIN), choosing a phone plan, registering with your embassy and opening a bank account.

For a complete overview, read The arrivals process and your first steps in Canada.

If you don’t start exploring Canada right away, your next steps will include securing accommodation and a job. We’ve got you covered!

• Finding accommodation in Canada
• Finding a job and working in Canada

And if you want to hit the road, check out our guide to van life!

Before you can start working, you will need to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your employer will need to ask for your SIN within three days of starting work.

You can travel within and outside Canada during your IEC permit—go ahead, explore a few American states or take a break from winter in Mexico!

You may need a visa to travel to other foreign countries (your IEC permit doesn’t give you special rights and doesn’t make you a Canadian). For the US, you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) even if you are from a Visa Waiver Program country.

Keep in mind that days spent outside Canada still count towards your permit validity, i.e. if you have a 12-month Working Holiday permit and spend six months in Mexico, you will have six months left on your permit to spend in Canada.

There are different options to stay in Canada. Your work permit can’t be extended; even if your citizenship qualifies you for multiple IEC participations, you must apply again for your new immigration status (work permit, study permit, etc). A list of options to immigrate, work and study in Canada can be found on the Government of Canada website.

If you want to stay long-term, the permanent residency process takes time and money. Check whether you’re eligible long before your initial IEC permit expires. Your eligibility will be determined by a points-based system—points are awarded for work experience, education, etc. For more information, read Immigrate to Canada and Working in Canada: What is meant by the TEER categories?

You can’t apply for Canadian citizenship until you have been a permanent resident of Canada for several years (it’s a separate process).

Depending on your citizenship, you can apply for an IEC permit from within Canada. To activate it, you will have to leave Canada and come back (even if only for five minutes!).

Going to the airport won’t do the trick—without an international plane ticket, there’s no access to immigration. Travellers often cross the land border to the US and come back to Canada (hence the term “flagpoling,” you’re basically going around the flagpole!).

If you are travelling Canada before activating an IEC permit or you are staying in Canada after an IEC permit ends, your citizenship determines what you need to apply for. Use the Government of Canada “Find out if you need a visa” tool to check requirements.

Some nationalities don't need a visa to enter Canada. If standard requirements are met, your passport will be stamped. Most visitors can stay for up to six months in Canada.

Visitors who don’t need a visa must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to fly to a Canadian airport. Your POE letter comes with an eTA attached, so many IEC permit holders don't need to apply for another eTA.

If your IEC permit is coming to an end and you want to stay in Canada to travel, make sure you apply for your maintained status (e.g. visitor visa) before your current permit expires, so that you can stay in Canada legally!

You must have a valid work permit to work in Canada. You can apply for an employer-specific work permit or an open work permit.

An employer-specific work permit requires you to find an employer in Canada. You and your future employer must complete a number of steps before the work permit is issued. Once in Canada, you can only work for the employer for the length of time and, if applicable, at the location specified on the permit.

An open work permit allows you to work for any employer anywhere in Canada, for as long as you want while the permit is valid. You do not have to secure a job offer before going to Canada.

Volunteering in Canada as a visitor may be allowed under certain conditions. More info...

All workers in Canada must pay personal income tax. This amount is calculated based on your taxable income for the tax year.

For most employees, employers withhold money from your paycheck and remit it directly to the CRA. At the end of the tax year, you receive a T4 tax slip from your employer indicating your pay before deductions and other contributions deducted during the tax year.

The deadline to file taxes is April 30 for most workers and mid-June for self-employed individuals.

Since taxes are deducted from your paycheck, most IEC permit holders don’t have to pay anything at the end of the tax year—you could even get a tax refund if you overpaid.

You can tackle the tax filing process alone, get help from a tax refund service like Taxback.com, or hire an accountant (small fee, less headache!).